WNBA general managers have made their pick between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark when it comes to starting a franchise, and the result is already sparking debate.
Clark has been one of the league’s biggest draws since entering the WNBA, while Bueckers quickly built her own case with a polished rookie season in Dallas.
That made this survey question one of the most interesting parts of the league’s latest GM poll. The answer also says plenty about how decision-makers are viewing long-term team-building right now.
WNBA GMs pick Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark to start franchise
As shared via Yahoo Sports on X, the latest GM survey showed Bueckers leading the vote.
Paige Bueckers received 33% of the vote, while Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson were tied at 20%. Dominique Malonga also received 13%.
Bueckers’ rise comes after her Rookie of the Year campaign with the Dallas Wings, where her efficiency, scoring versatility, and all-around game made a major impression on league executives.
The biggest factor appears to be Bueckers’ complete profile as a franchise piece.
Why Paige Bueckers edged Caitlin Clark in WNBA GM voting
She averaged 19.2 points and 5.4 assists as a rookie, while shooting efficiently and showing enough off-ball ability to fit into almost any system. That type of versatility is valuable for GMs thinking beyond one season.
Clark’s drop does not mean her stock has collapsed. She remains one of the WNBA’s most important players, but her injury-shortened 2025 season limited her to just 13 games and likely affected how GMs viewed immediate reliability.
Clark is still viewed as a transcendent offensive engine because of her range, passing, and gravity. Bueckers, however, is seen by many evaluators as a cleaner two-way fit with fewer questions about efficiency and ball security.
A’ja Wilson earning 20% also shows that GMs still value proven dominance, while Malonga’s 13% signals how highly teams view her long-term upside.
But the headline is clear. When asked who they would build around today, more WNBA GMs chose Bueckers than anyone else.
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